The issue is not whether people want something more significant in their life. We already know they do. The real question is how will the church respond? Will we help them find and develop a meaningful ministry or will we take the easy way out, plug a hole and put them on another committee?

What about you? God called you for a ministry. Do you know what it is? How should the church help? Committee work is important but there is so much more. As a minister, I emphasize two themes:

1.   A church should provide an atmosphere of encouragement and love for you to improve your relationship with God through worship, prayer, Bible study and small group participation.

2.   Help you discover your unique gifts and talents and use them toward a ministry of serving and helping others within your family, at work, at church, in your community and around the world.

"The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: 'The harvest is so great and the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest and ask Him to send out more workers for his fields. Go now and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don't take along any money or a traveler's bag or even an extra pair of sandals.'" (Luke 10:1-4)

I found at least five major lessons in this passage:

1.   The Lord chose: You don't just decide to serve God. You were chosen long before you were born. The questions you should ask: "What task were you chosen for? Are you doing it?"

2.   Travel in pairs: God knows it is very difficult to work alone. We all need encouragement either from a friend, a pastor, a church group or family. Ministry always needs a partner.

3.   Pray for more workers: Your life of prayer is just as important as your willingness to work. Praying and asking for God's help is an important part of your ministry.

4.   Lambs among wolves: You are receiving a divine warning to be careful. Remember wolves see lambs as only one thing… supper. Serving God always involves risk. Be prepared.

5.   Travel lite: The ad says, "less filling… tastes great!" Too much stuff, no matter how good can become a burden and weigh down your ministry. Keep your message and your faith simple.

How are churches doing with following these basic lessons? Actually, not very good. A survey was taken among active Christians. What they found was startling: 70% never encouraged someone to believe in Christ, 45% never talked about their faith, 64% rarely pray and 77% rarely read the Bible.

Why? There are many reasons. We are afraid of controversy. Churches tend to seek members rather than disciples. We're busy and preoccupied. We fear rejection. We face too many choices for our time.

What can we do about it? Several years ago, I read: "The Prayer of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkinson about a virtually unknown Bible character named Jabez hidden in First Chronicles 4:9-10. I discovered answers for my own ministry simply using the prayer regularly: "Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me and that you would keep me from evil." And God granted him his request. Next week, I'll use this prayer to answer the questions: How can each of us find a ministry of significance? How can the church assist you?

Part 2: Spiritual Gifts, The Prayer of Jabez and 'Mousetrap'" Click here